National Trust Discovers the UK’s Oldest Arctic Tern

WILTSHIRE, ENGLAND, September 30, 2010

The National Trust reports that an Arctic tern discovered off the coast of Northumberland is believed to be more than 30 years-old, making it the oldest known in the UK.

Originally ringed on the Farne Islands on 28 June 1980, it was re-trapped on Inner Farne this summer. The bird would have been ringed when a few days old making it now more than 30 years of age.

The tern was trapped in 1980 by a team of wardens that included John Walton who is now the National Trust property manager for the islands.

For more of this press release:

http://www.24-7pressrelease.com/press-release/national-trust-discovers-the-uks-oldest-arctic-tern-172842.php

STUDENT NATURE SPOTTERS DISCOVER LIZARDS AND VOLES IN SCHOOL GROUNDS

The Wiltshire Wildlife Trust (WWT) has been training students at The Wellington Academy in Tidworth, how to survey for plants, mammals, birds, invertebrates and reptiles so they can use the results to create an accurate picture of the wildlife that lives in their school grounds.

The academy is being built next to Castledown School and the children will transfer from the old school to the new building on its completion.

Full story:

http://www.communitynewswire.press.net/article.jsp?id=7096973

Find out more about caring for wild birds

WILTSHIRE gardeners who would like to find out more about feeding and caring for wild birds are invited to a Salisbury garden centre this month.

To coincide with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) national Feed the Birds Day, Salisbury Garden Centre on Netherhampton Road in Netherhampton is hosting a Wild Bird Care Fortnight from October 18 until 31.

Full story:

http://www.salisburyjournal.co.uk/news/8423547.Find_out_more_about_caring_for_wild_birds/

30th September 2010

3 Swallow – Grittleton – Stewart Dobson

2 Raven, Chiffchaff – Blakehill – Robin Griffiths

2 Blackcap, 6 Chiffchaff, 6 Goldcrest, 2 Reed Bunting, 50 Meadow Pipit - Nightingale Wood, South Marston – Phil Deacon

RING OUZEL, 3 Wheatear, Blackcap, 30 Meadow Pipit, 2 Raven – Liddington Hill - Robin Nelson

50 House Martin, 65 Swallow – Stratford sub Castle – Shayne Ford

29th September 2010

Little Owl – Brokenborough – Martin Saunders

120 Swallow & House Martin – at dusk, Grittleton – Stewart Dobson

28th September 2010

Chiffchaff - singing, Grittleton – Stewart Dobson

16 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff – Nightingale Wood, South Marston – Graham Deacon

GLOSSY IBIS - in flight over CWP95 early afternoon – birding pagers only

150 Swallow, 5 House Martin – Westbury Downs – John Osborne

5 Wheatear, 40 Meadow Pipit – Maiden Bradley – Chris Oliver

8 Raven – Brixton Deverill – John Fishwick

27th September 2010

NO RECORDS RECEIVED

Dip in wetland bird population

A BIRD survey has revealed a dipping population in wetland species in the Solent area over the last five years.

The Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) covers the winter of 2008 to the winter of 2009.  It revealed that the North West Solent coastline and Southam-pton Water supported an average of 27,770 birds between 2004 to 2009 with numbers falling from 31,285 in 2004/2005 to 27,846 in 2008/2009. In comparison, interconnected harbours in Chichester, Langstone and Portsmouth supported an average of 96,489 birds, but numbers have fallen from 98,710 in 200420/05 to 92,063 in 2008/2009. Langstone and Chichester are considered important sites for the dark-bellied Brent geese, dunlins and black-tailed godwits.

Salisbury Journal 10th September 2010

26th September 2010

JACK SNIPE, 35 Golden Plover - Roundway Hill – Anthony Mitchell

3 Sand Martin, 30 House Martin, 40 Swallow – Stratford sbu Castle – Shayne Ford

2 Wheatear, 34 Meadow Pipit – Blakehill – Robin Griffiths

Wheatear, Whitethroat, 20 Swallow, 10 House Martin, 50 Goldfinch, Stonechat – Cumberwell – Rowena Quantrill

Little Egret, 30 Lapwing, Chiffchaff – Kent End, CWP - Sue & Trevor Clayson

21 Wigeon – CWP82 – Sue & Trevor Clayson

30 Lapwing – CWP68c – Sue  & Trevor Clayson

RED-CRESTED POCHARD, 50 Lapwing – CWP68a – Sue & Trevor Clayson

Pale Tussock Moth - caterpillar, CWP74 – Sue & Trevor Clayson

25th September 2010

PEREGRINE, 35 Blackcap, 10 Chiffchaff, 30 Meadow Pipit, 4 Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Green Sandpiper - Swindon STW – Matt Prior, Nigel Goodgame, Jack Nurse

23 Blackcap, 9 Chiffchaff – Nightingale Wood, South Marston – Graham Deacon

3 Wheatear – Etchilhampton Hill – Anthony Mitchell

GLOSSY IBIS - in flight11:30 at CWP95 and over Waterhay 13:45 - Paul Castle & Linda Cady

6 Little Egret, 7 Buzzard, 150 Teal, Cetti’s Warbler – CWP95 – Paul Castle & Linda Cady

Hobby – CWP75 – Paul Castle & Linda Cady

20 Wigeon – CWP82 – Paul Castle & Linda Cady

Ruddy Duck, 15 Curlew, 2 Little Egret – CWP68 – Paul Castle & Linda Cady

42 Cormorant – CWP74 - Paul Castle & Linda Cady

Snipe – Kent End, CWP - Paul Castle & Linda Cady

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